Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Philippians 2
Verse Commentaries:
Chapter Level Commentary:
FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five modern translations. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one main subject.
1. First paragraph
2. Second paragraph
3. Third paragraph
4. Etc.
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS TO Php_2:1-11
A. This context is obviously related to one of the themes of the book, "a call for unity among the Christians at Philippi" (cf. Php_1:27; Php_2:1-4; Php_4:2-3; Php_4:5; Php_4:7; Php_4:9 and Eph_4:1-6).
B. There has been much discussion among commentators on how this wonderful hymn to Christ (cf. Php_2:6-11) functions for ethics or for salvation.
1. It functions as an example to believers to live selfless, giving lives (cf. Php_2:1-5).
2. It also deals with the humiliation and exaltation of the pre-existent, incarnated Messiah.
3. In different ways it functions in both areas.
C. Php_2:6-11 seems to be an early Christian hymn
1. the form is metric, poetical, or lyrical
2. it contains several rare Greek terms not used by Paul
3. it is lacking some of the uniquely Pauline theological elements concerning Christ
4. Paul quotes other early church hymns, poems, or liturgical structures in 1Ti_3:16 and 2Ti_2:11-13
5. for another opinion see Gordon Fee, To What End Exegesis? pp. 1731-189
D. The structure of the hymn to Christ has been debated. It seems to divide into two equal emphases.
1. Jesus' person and work
a. pre-existence, Php_2:6
b. incarnation, Php_2:7
c. substitutionary death, Php_2:8
2. God the Father's response
a. universal Lordship, Php_2:9
b. universal confession, Php_2:10
c. supreme title (Lord), Php_2:11
E. A brief outline of this great hymn to Christ
1. Php_2:6-8
a. Christ's humiliation
b. OT background is Genesis 3 (Adam/Christ typology)
c. focuses on Jesus' actions
2. Php_2:9-11
a. Christ's exaltation
b. OT background is Isa_52:13 to Isa_53:12 (the Suffering Servant)
c. focuses on God the Father's actions
3. Bibles that print poetry differently from prose are crucial in seeing the metric pattern and parallelism (cf. NRSV, TEV, NJB)
F. The basic truths found in this Christological hymn
1. Jesus is truly God (in essence, morphç)
2. Jesus is truly man (in form, schçma)
3. Jesus truly sought our best, not His own, so should Christians
4. Jesus is the true object of worship by the will of the Father
G. The hymn was non-Pauline
1. It omits the resurrection which was a major and recurrent emphasis of Paul
2. It omits Paul's regular emphasis on Jesus' relation to the Church
3. It uses several terms not used by Paul anywhere else
4. Paul does quote other early church hymns, catechismal poems, or liturgical structures in 1Ti_3:16; 2Ti_2:11-13 and possibly Col_1:15-20; 1Ti_1:17; 1Ti_6:15-16
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought provoking, not definitive.
1. Explain the meaning of Php_2:12-13 (both contextually and theologically).
2. Why would the Philippian Christians be grumbling and disputing (Php_2:14)?
3. Why were Paul’s co-ministers seen as having mixed interests (Php_2:21)?
4. Why could Paul not heal Epaphroditus?